§ 59a.311. Cleaning and sanitizing treatment.
(a) Equipment and utensils.
(1) The equipment, sanitary piping and utensils used in receiving and processing of the milk, and manufacturing and handling of the product shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. Sanitary seal assemblies must be removable on all agitators, pumps and vats, and shall be inspected at regular intervals and kept clean. Unless other provisions are recommended in the following supplemental sections, equipment not designed for CIP cleaning shall be disassembled after each day of use for thorough cleaning. Cleaning and sanitizing chemicals that are utilized for this cleaning must be labeled and shall be used in accordance with label directions. Steel wool or metal sponges may not be used in the cleaning of any dairy equipment or utensils. Utensils and portable equipment used in processing and manufacturing operations shall be stored above the floor in clean, dry locations and in a self draining position on racks constructed of impervious corrosion resistant material. All product contact surfaces shall be subjected to an effective sanitizing treatment immediately prior to use, except when dry cleaning is permitted. This sanitizing treatment shall entail subjection of a clean surface to steam, hot water, hot air, or an acceptable sanitizing solution for the destruction of most human pathogens and other vegetative microorganisms to a level considered safe for product production, without adversely affecting the equipment, the milk, the milk product or the health of consumers. Sanitizing solutions must comply with 21 CFR 178.1010 (relating to sanitizing solutions).
(2) CIP cleaning, including sprayball systems, shall be used only on equipment and pipeline systems which have been designed and engineered for that purpose. When that cleaning is used, careful attention shall be given to the proper procedures to assure satisfactory cleaning. CIP installations and cleaning procedures shall be in accordance with the current 3-A Accepted Practices for Permanently Installed Product and Solution Pipelines and Cleaning Systems Used in Milk and Milk Product Processing Plants. The established cleaning procedure shall be posted and followed. Following the circulation of the cleaning solution, the equipment and lines shall be thoroughly rinsed and checked for effectiveness of cleaning. Caps, plugs, special fittings, valve seats, cross ends and tee ends shall be opened or removed and brushed clean. Immediately prior to starting the product flow, the product contact surfaces shall be properly sanitized.
(b) Milk cans and can washers. Milk cans and can washers must meet the following requirements:
(1) Milk cans and lids shall be cleaned, sanitized and dried before they are returned to producers. Inspection, repair or replacement of cans and lids shall be adequate to substantially exclude from use cans and lids showing open seams, cracks, rust condition, milkstone or an unsanitary condition.
(2) Washers shall be maintained in a clean and satisfactory operating condition and kept free from accumulation of scale or debris which will adversely affect the efficiency of the washer.
(c) Transport tanks. An enclosed wash dock and cleaning and sanitizing facilities shall be available to all plants that receive or ship milk in tanks. Milk transport tanks, sanitary piping, fittings and pumps shall be cleaned and sanitized at least once each day, after use. If milk transport tanks, sanitary piping, fittings or pumps are not to be used immediately after emptying a load of milk, they shall be washed promptly after use and given bactericidal treatment immediately before use. The following provisions also apply:
(1) A milk transport tank shall be cleaned and sanitized at least once each day after use.
(2) If a milk transport tank has been cleaned and sanitized in accordance with paragraph (1) and 96 hours or more have elapsed from that cleaning and sanitizing without the tank being used, the tank shall be cleaned and sanitized again before use.
(3) When a milk transport tank has been cleaned and sanitized, it must bear a tag or be accompanied by a written document showing the date, time and place of cleaning and sanitizing and bear the signature or initials of the person who performed the cleaning and sanitizing. This tagging or written document requirement is not applicable if the milk transport tank delivers to only one receiving facility and that receiving facility is solely responsible for cleaning and sanitizing and retains records at that receiving facility to confirm date, time and place of cleaning.
(4) A tag or written document as described in paragraph (3) shall be removed at the location where the milk tank truck is next cleaned and sanitized and retained on file at that location for 15 days.
(d) Buildings. Windows, glass, partitions and skylights shall be washed as often as necessary to keep them clean. Cracked or broken glass shall be replaced promptly. The walls, ceilings and doors shall be washed periodically and kept free from soil and unsightly conditions. The shelves and ledges shall be wiped or vacuumed as often as necessary to keep them free from dust and debris. The material picked up by the vacuum cleaners shall be disposed of by burning or other proper methods to destroy any insects that might be present.
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